Programme: Academic Paediatrics
Type of programme
This is a research post in Paediatrics based at St Mary’s and Hammersmith
Hospitals.
Brief outline of department
The Paediatric department at St Mary’s was awarded the inaugural London Deanery
‘Elizabeth Paice Excellence in Education Award’ for Best Clinical Department, and
one option would be to develop an innovative educational research project within the
department. The general paediatric team also has a strong interest in leadership
development and quality improvement, and is involved in innovative work to develop
models for integrated child health working across primary and secondary care. This
includes a public health focus on whole population approaches to care for children
and young people. There are also significant developments in adolescent health.
There would be possibilities for research and project work in all of these areas.
There is also outstanding academic sub-specialty paediatric research being done by
colleagues at St Mary’s in paediatric infectious diseases, paediatric allergy,
paediatric haematology, paediatric intensive care, neonatology and other specialities
and there are likely to be possibilities to link in with these teams if this was a
particular area of interest. In this situation a primary academic supervisor will be
found within the sub-specialty area of interest.
Further information is available on our websites:
http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/paediatrics
http://www1.imperial.ac.uk/departmentofmedicine/divisions/infectiousdiseases/paedi
atrics/
Structure of academic project/what expected
The AF2 year will consist of 4 months Acute Medicine and 4 months ICU at
Hammersmith Hospital and 4 months Academic Paediatrics based at St Mary’s
Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Trainees will be under the overall
supervision of Dr Bob Klaber, who is a Consultant in General Paediatrics and a
Medical Educationalist. The AF2 will have the opportunity to be part of a highly
dynamic and supportive team of doctors and other health professionals working
together in academic, service improvement and educational aspects of paediatrics
and child health.
Supervision from Dr Klaber (if undertaking an educational research or integrated
child health project), or the primary academic supervisor (if undertaking a project in
other areas of paediatrics and child health), will take the form of weekly meetings,
with day to day support coming from the wider paediatric team. If desired, the
Academic F2 can be allocated to a Specialist Registrar level mentor during their
academic paediatrics placement.
There is access to a wide range of teaching and other learning opportunities within
the department, and each doctor will be strongly encouraged to make the most of
these in order to support their personal learning plan. A weekly teaching timetable
detailing all opportunities will be sent to each doctor. There will also be the
opportunity to develop important transferrable skills in the writing of ethics and grant
applications, performing statistical analysis, and writing and revising manuscripts.
Other learning opportunities, such as development of educational research skills or
understanding quality improvement methodologies will be offered in accordance with
the needs of the trainee and the project undertaken.
It is envisaged that doctors in this Academic Paediatrics placement will be successful
in achieving journal publications and published abstracts, as well as presenting their
work in regional and national meetings. The post will be an outstanding introduction
to academic paediatrics and child health, and high performance in the post will
undoubtedly strengthen any potential application for run-through paediatric training
at ST1 level.
Clinical commitments during academic placement
There are no fixed clinical commitments and no on call duties during the Academic
Paediatrics placement.
Departmental academic teaching programme (if applicable)
There are many opportunities here and the post-holder will be introduced to these
when they start.
Academic Lead:
Dr Bob Klaber
Consultant in General Paediatrics
robert.klaber@imperial.nhs.uk